Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Reader celebrates freedom of choice
I have read a letter regarding the business Pye Wackets. I must say I am one of the many patrons of the mentioned business. I am also one of the many "witches" in today's American society. My beliefs may not coincide with the Christian faith that is so dominate in our society, however, many of the morals and values I myself hold true. For example, thou shalt not steal, kill, lie, cheat, etc.

Help with FASD event appreciated
Thank you to all who participated in the ninth annual International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day ceremony on Sept. 8 during the Recovery Rendezvous. It is encouraging to see so much community participation at this important event.

Take a stand and take action
Alaska is the only state in the Union that does not have a Safe Haven Law in place. This law enables a person to safely surrender a baby shortly after birth at a safe location without fear of prosecution by the law.

Reader: Time for expansion is now
The Kenai Community Library is a wonderful service and resource for the city of Kenai residents, as well as numerous patrons outside the city limits. Members of this extended community continue to take advantage of the many programs offered: five different types of story hours weekly, introductory computer classes, book review clubs, Second Sunday stories by the Kenai Performers, summer reading program and many other special events, presentations and programs.

Reader: Vote 'Yes' on 2
This is a win-win situation. The Kenai Community Library must expand. If the citizens of Kenai vote "Yes" on Prop 2, we commit to provide up to $2 million toward this effort.

Junk cars issue questioned
I'm presently outside (northwest Michigan) and found interest in Tuesday's report on junk cars. Primarily because in this locale junk haulers will come to a private residence, or for that matter business, hook up as-is any vehicle with a title, pay the owner as much as $150 and it's gone. And they are obviously making money on this because they advertise in the local papers daily.

Take your best shot
With less than a week left to the Kenai Peninsula's moose hunting general season, wildlife authorities are remaining vigilant in their efforts to ensure that hunting regulations are being followed.

No place to live
Workers aren't even finished building senior housing facilities in Soldotna and Sterling and demand already has outstripped supply.

High and dry
Cordova High School swimmers Derek Hammer and Drew Lindow find an unconventional place to take a break from a swim meet last weekend at Soldotna High School. The perch gave them a good if not inconspicuous place to carry on a conversation.

With help, friendship grows
When Graydon "Skipper" Cowgill and his wife, Mary Anne, bought the property formerly known as Eadie's Frontier Club, there were no less than 60 abandoned cars and trucks on the lot. Now, four years and a lot of hard work later, the Friendship Mission has helped 70 men since October 2005 and, with donations and volunteers from the community, is slowly growing.

Kenai Community News
Autumn is here without a doubt, and soon it will be time to put our summertime plants to bed for the season. Thanks to the Kenai Parks and Recreation Department for their TLC of the planters and grounds of our fair city.

Soldotna Community News
What do the Dixie River Rats, Redoubt Chamber Orchestra and the Bluegrass Jam have in common? If you haven't guessed, it's Sue Biggs.

Sterling Community News
On the last weekend before school started, a group of Sterling kids spent four days down in Ninilchik at the Kenai Peninsula State Fair.

Ninilchik Community News
Congratulations to Kilina Klaich, 10, for bagging her first big game a forked horned bull moose last week. She drew a permit for a special youth hunt that took place near Delta Junction and was successful last Saturday. Kilina said she practiced shooting with her family this summer and took a hunter's safety course prior to the hunt. Kilina is the daughter of Steve and Beatrice Klaich, and is a fifth-grader at Nikolaevsk School.

Kasilof Community News
You are invited to Per Osmar's 90th birthday party at the Que'Ana Bar at 5 p.m. Sept. 27. The celebration includes potluck dining at 6 p.m. Fifty-nine years ago (1948) Per made Clam Gulch his home.

Around the Peninsula
CPHC meeting set
Sterling youth club set
Park meeting slated
RCAC to meet
Little League to team up
SoHi parent meetings set
Raffle fundraiser continues
Donations for veterans sought
Marathon to hit the streets
Student housing to be discussed
Prime rib diner fundraiser set to dish
Swim lessons to make a splash
Domestic violence, workshop planned

September is National Preparedness Month
During September, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management is urging everyone to take some simple steps to make themselves and their families better prepared for emergencies including:

Ice Dogs throw shutout at Brown Bears
There were a number of excuses Mike Flanagan, the coach and general manager of the Kenai River Brown Bears, could have reached for after a 2-0 North American Hockey League loss to the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on Sunday at the Soldotna Sports Center.

Oilers name Hickman new head coach
The grass at Coral Seymour Memorial Park has yet to brown for the winter. That doesn't matter to new Peninsula Oilers head coach Brian Hickman. He's ready to roll out the balls on the 2008 season right now.